Meanwhile... Back At The Ranch

Or trailer as the case may be.

The drive from San Antonio was long and pretty boring.  Of course, I was stuck in the back seat and couldn't see much.  The highlight ( actually lowlight) of the trip was a pee break at the most disgusting bathroom I have seen in quite awhile.  Oh well, shit happens. 

Wayne had enough of being a passenger and insisted on driving all the way home.  ( I think that he just didn't want to sit in the back seat.)

The weather was not the greatest for the rest of Kathy's visit.  She did manage a couple of days at the pool and some bike rides around the park and along the levee.  We did some shopping and visited some favourite restaurants.  492 BBQ and Olive Garden spring to mind.

Wayne had a follow up with his cardiologist which went well.  That's good news.

We celebrated Mardi Gras but no parade.  It was raining.  Just not the same but still fun.

492 BBQ with cousins Jackie and Wayne

 

We went to Mexico on a girl's day out.  Totally different than when the guys are along.  Lots more shopping.  Had a great lunch at Arturo's.  Dessert was kind of strange but interesting.  Fun day.

Ruth and Judith having a coffee break

Amazing Ceramics

This was supposed to be Baked Alaska?

Kathy organized a happy hour to celebrate my birthday.  Yet again, the weather was non-cooperative.  So we moved into the rec hall.  Thanks Kate.

Waiting for our guests

Lots of yummy snacks and a DQ ice cream birthday cake. 

And so ends Kathy's visit for this winter.  We took her to the airport at some ungodly hour and she started her travels homeward.  It was a very long day that began at 4:30 am and didn't finish until 11:30 pm.  Equipment problems and plane delays.  No fun at all.

Let's Play Catch Up

I know, I know.  It's been a month or more since my last blog.  (Man that sounds like being in confession)  We have been taking each day as it comes.  Some are adventurous, some quiet.  Some days have cold weather and some have nice warm temps.

Kathy came for a visit.  With the doctor's permission, Wayne and I headed up to San Antonio to meet her.  Just about gave Wayne another heart attack to let me drive most of the way there.  He drove the first 15 minutes and the last half hour. 

Kathy's plane arrived and we all checked into a nearby motel.  Friends Nancy and Nick were visiting some of Nancy's relatives.  We all met for supper at the Texas Land and Cattle Company restaurant.



Great company and delicious food

 Next morning, bright and early, we headed to the Alamo which is located downtown.  We spent at least 3 hours  checking out the historic site.  I learned that Davy Crockett made a speech in parliament after the troops trapped in the Alamo sent for help.  The gov't wasn't too willing to help.  He said "You can all go to Hell.  I'm going to Texas."  This has become my new mantra.

A couple of southern belles.

The Alamo consisted of more than this building.  There were barracks, kitchens etc. inside the wall.  This building is the chapel and the building that everyone thinks of as the Alamo.  The women and children stayed in one very small room for safety during the siege.

Next up was a boat ride on the river.  The river walk is very famous.  The river system travel through the downtown area for miles and has been developed as a tourist attraction with many restaurants and shops.  Beautiful.  Even includes a mall with the canal flowing through.

River Center Mall

Tour Boats waiting for us to load

A bell for each of the five missions in San Antonio

Checking out the sights from the river

By this time we were getting hungry.  After disembarking from the boat, we wandered along the waterway to one of the cafes.

Great lunch included crispy tortilla strips and fresh guacamole made table side.  Delish.

 

Pointing something out along the river.

 The next day we completed our short tour of San Antonio with stops at a great bead store and Trader Joe's.  Trader Joe's is a chain of grocery stores with a boutique feel.  They stock many interesting products not easily found elsewhere.  Also the home of $2 buck Chuck wine. (Although it costs $3 now) lol

Next up - Back in Mission....

What A Shock!

Post Heart Attack

So we left off with Wayne dressed in drag.  It was so shocking to his system that he had a heart attack or MI (myocardial infraction) as it is technically called. 

He was going to buy me flowers for Valentines Day but the price was so high that it gave him an attack.  At least that's his story.

Wayne woke up on the 14th with indigestion (so he thought), but soon decided that he might be having a heart attack and woke me up.  We called 911 and they arrived less than 20 minutes later.  By 7am Wayne was in the emergency department of the Mission  Regional Hospital.  By 10 am he had  balloon angioplasty with a stent and was settled in the ICU department.  Great service.  One artery was 100 % blocked.  Another two have lesser blockages.

He was in the hospital for three days and is now recuperating at home.   Feels well but gets tired often. 

Thanks to all friends and family for all the kind thoughts and wishes.

Before all the excitement, we went on a field trip to Brownsville.  We visited a costume museum displaying native clothing styles for North, South and Central America.  Gorgeous.

Outside the museum in Brownsville

The museum wasn't very large.  It was an annex attached to a Children's Museum.  The  display was so beautiful and colourful.  It showed an amalgamation of traditional clothing and European influences.  Well worth a visit.

We had lunch at Luby's which is a Texas institution.  Luby's is a cafeteria style restaurant chain that is known throughout the state.  We enjoyed the daily special.  It's kind of fun to pick and choose what you want.

Next on the agenda was a stop at a shrimping company to learn all about the wild shrimp fishery.  It was very interesting and detailed. Included was a tour of a shrimp boat and fresh boiled shrimp to taste.  Yummy!  Way more flavour than farm raised shrimp and better for your health too.

Wild Gulf of Mexico Shrimp

Checking out the boat

View of the Shrimp Basin

The shrimp boats are manned by 3 to 6 man crews and stay out at sea for 30 to 50 days per trip.  No way would I want to do this job.  It's heavy, stinky hard work mostly done at night with little time to sleep or eat.  The kitchen and head were very tiny and had only very basic amenities.  Not my thing.

Wayne continues to improve and we are eagerly awaiting Kathy's arrival later this week.  Stay tuned for some Texas fun in the sun.

Chimney Park Hat Rock Cafe Ladies Luncheon

One of the main events each season, is the Ladies Luncheon.  This year I was on the planning committee.  It was a lot of fun and I think the event was enjoyed by everyone. 

 

Each year is a different theme.  This year we decided to focus on hats and music tied together as "The Hat Rock Café".  Pun totally intended.

 

The decorations were amazing.  Our decorating team did a fabulous job.  Wish we could keep the décor forever.

Waiting for Our Guests

 

 

 

Door Prizes

Our Chairperson - Rosemary

We kept the food fresh and simple.  Some catered and some prepared by the committee.  Our menu consisted of  chicken salad on a croissant with both a green salad and a fruit salad.  Dessert was carrot cake.  Very yummy.

Of course, every successful luncheon should have some entertainment.  A fashion show should fit the bill. 

Granny, our MC.  Could she be more stylish?

 

Direct From Fashion Week - Our Gorgeous Models

What can I say.  I laughed so hard that my tummy hurt.  Thanks guys.  You are all good sports and either really brave or really silly.  Maybe both.

A good time was had by all.

The Fun - It Never Ends

It's party time At Chimney Park.  We had a Bbq and band last week.

Sausage, ribs and all the trimmings.  Yum Yum!

Great party, company, food and weather.  Thanks Wendy and Lloyd.

Been busy with preparations for our Ladies Luncheon and a park open house.  But not too busy for lunch and a shopping trip with my friend, Judith.  Got some great bargains at Marshalls.

I also went to a Lutheran church conference about mission work in Texas, Mexico, Guatemala and Nicaragua.  It was very informative.

We had some excitement near the park the other night.  The border patrol were looking for somebody.  The helicopter was so loud, I couldn't hear the tv.

Vehicles and flashing lights on the levee.
 

Today, of course, was Super Bowl Sunday.  We watched the game enjoying a great pork loin dinner and lots of snacks.  I enjoyed the commercials and Wayne's team won - Seattle Seahawks.  Good time all round.

The weather may not be as warm and sunny as last year, but we are enjoying ourselves immensely.  I think that each season is different but all are fun.